Baking cookies is a lot of fun, to be honest. However, I absolutely hate it when things go wrong for one reason or another.
I often hear people saying that their cookies spread too much, and while it might sound like an issue that should not come in the way, it actually is a problem and, therefore, needs to be rectified.
In this article, I am going to talk about how to protect yourself from this issue. Following the tips we have for you is going to ensure that your cookies never really run into the issue of spreading because, yes, we do know just how annoying it can be, and we are going to sort it out for you.
Let’s not waste time and have a look.
Now, if you are finding yourself dealing with a situation where your cookies are spreading too much, then honestly, there are could be some issues that are causing it to happen, and we are going to list a few things down that might give you the understanding as to why that is happening, in the first place.
So, let’s have a look.
Now, when you are about to bake your cookies, you are about to make the right decision. However, in most of the cases, you end up greasing the cookie sheet, a bit too much, and that can cause issues and cause the cookies to spread, and it would be better if you are avoiding this from happening because we really do not want to face such an issue as it can cause significant issues and the more you avoid, the better.
#2- Cold butter.
Another thing that you should know is that if the butter is cold, like right out of the fridge, it could cause the cookies to spread and yes, it might not make sense, but when the butter is heated rapidly, it spreads, and when it is actually in the cookies, it might spread, spreading your cookies along with it.
#3- Warm dough.
Moving further, if you are confused as to why your cookies are spreading, a common issue could be the dough being warm.
It is often an issue that most people face, and you have to be sure that your dough isn’t warm. Room temperature is fine, but warm dough could result in the cookies spreading.
#4- Fat type.
The type of fat you are using could also be an issue. Now, this largely depends on your dough, as well as the butter.
I would advise that you are doing your research, and based on the research you have, you go ahead and make the right decision and use the right type of fat. It can be confusing, and the first batch might not be right, but you need to practice.
#5- The amount of flour is insufficient.
Using the right amount of flour is one of the most important things that you will have to keep in mind when it comes to preventing the cookies from spreading.
Yes, baking is all about correct measurement, but you will have to take care of these things because you cannot just mess things up, as it would never result in anything right.
#6- The amount of baking soda used is excessive.
Baking soda is good for cookies, however, when you are in the process of using baking soda, I would suggest that you do not excessively use it because doing so is going to result in the cookies spreading, and again, that is not really the right way to bake cookies.
#7- The oven temperature is insufficient.
Insufficient oven temperature can also be the reason why your cookies are spreading, and again, I would generally advise that you are being careful of this situation and not making a mistake by increasing the temperature. Still, keep this in mind, and that should solve the issue you might be having in this case.
#8- There is an insufficient amount of eggs.
Adding the right amount of eggs to your cookies is also very, very important, and doing it wrong can result in your cookies spreading.
So, it is best if you stick to the recipe. Start with a small batch and then make your way up to see if you can get the results you want.
Now that you know the mistakes that can be made that can cause the cookies to spread, we are going to look at the things that you can do to fix this issue from happening, something that has become very important for a lot of people.
Either a silicone baking mat or parchment paper can be used.
The first thing that I would suggest is that you go ahead use either a silicone baking mat or a parchment paper. Either of these will help you get things done, and you will not have any issues that could come in the way.
So, if you are looking to be sure that your cookies are not spreading, go for these, and you would be all sorted.
It is recommended to chill your baking sheets.
Another thing that a lot of people don’t understand is that chilling the baking sheets can help make sure that the cookies stay in place, and not spread.
You can easily go ahead and chill the baking shits in advance, so you can avoid being in a situation where things end up spreading.
Another tip that I would give to you is that you should always cool down the cookie dough, as I believe this is a great way of making sure that your cookies are not spreading when you are about to bake them.
Yes, it can be confusing for a lot of people who are trying to learn this, but hey, the goal is to make life easier.
Butter that is cooled.
You can also go ahead and used cold butter because it will help. However, the thing that you must understand is that if you are using cold butter
It is properly mixed in the dough because otherwise, it will only cause issues and that is not what we are looking for, in the first place because that is just going to complicate the situation.
20-minute freezer bake.
Another thing that you can do is place the cookie dough in the freezer for around 20 minutes. This is called freezer baking, and it will help you be sure that your cookies are actually properly formed. Then you can put them in the oven for baking, and hopefully, you will not get any spreading.
Place on baking sheet.
Placing the cookies on the baking sheet might look like an easy and ordinary job, but it can actually create havoc for those who are new to this. Therefore, I would highly suggest that you are doing it right, and you will be all good to go.
Avoid overmixing the dough.
Yes, this is another thing that I often tell everyone that when it comes to mixing the dough, mixing it too much can ruin the consistency, and it can cause issues for you that are not something that I would suggest to you as it is never really something that you, or anyone else for that matter, should experience.
Use the right flour.
Last but not the least, when it comes to preventing cookies from spreading, I would highly suggest that you are using the right flour because it is very, very important, and you should not mess this up.
Check the flour that is best for cookies and use that, and it will sort out your issues, too. So, always be sure that you are looking into this.
Final Verdict:
There you have it, folks. If you have been trying to figure out the science behind successful cookies, then this is for you, as it will not confuse you even more.
Just be sure that you are taking care of these things properly, and you will not have any confusion in the process. It does take some time to perfect the cookies, but once you have perfected them, you are good to go.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
If your oven is too cold and not at the right temperature, the cookies can go ahead and start spreading. Therefore, it is better that you are keeping this in mind as you go ahead.
Yes, having baking powder means that there is carbon dioxide added, and it will actually allow the pressure for the dough to expand, but it is important, just in the right amount.
Yes, the science behind this is rather simple. Corn starch enters the cookie dough and binds with the liquid that is found in the dough, and ensures that the cookies are not spreading too much.
Yes, brown sugar actually doesn’t create a lot of air pockets, and you might end up with cookies that are not rising properly and spreading more.
